Definition
Navigation information presented to the pilot that shows the desired track to fly between two points and indicates any deviation left or right of that track. In a GPS or other RNAV system, course guidance is generated electronically and displayed on a course deviation indicator (CDI), HSI, or moving map so the pilot can keep the aircraft aligned with the programmed route.
Plain English
It is the information your navigation equipment gives you to show the path you should be flying and how far off that path you are.
Context Anchor
Seen in GPS navigation and instrument flying when the display shows a line to follow, a left-right correction, or steering information for the selected route or procedure.
Derivation
Course comes from an older word meaning a run, track, or path. Guidance comes from guide, meaning to lead or show the way. Together, course guidance means information that helps you follow a chosen path.
Why Pilots Care
Precise course guidance lets pilots maintain the exact route required for IFR operations and instrument approaches without drifting off track.
Intuition Check
Course does not mean the direction the airplane’s nose is pointing. In this context, course means the intended path over the ground, and guidance means the information that helps you stay on that path.
Example Sentence 1
Once the approach was loaded and active, the GPS provided course guidance down the final approach track.
Example Sentence 2
During the enroute phase the pilot followed the course guidance shown on the moving map to stay on the airway.